Directors

Tara Jane Bessette, MS, OTR/L

Kingston’s Camp has been a part of my life since I was 16 years old and started out as a Junior Counselor, and worked my way up as a Craft Counselor, then the On-Site Director, and now the Camp Director. Camp has always been a cornerstone of my life, and I am so honored to be continuing the legacy of those before me who have helped to keep Kingston’s camp a magical place for kids to access the outdoors, play, swim, and make lasting friendships.

I received my Master’s in Occupational Therapy at the University of New England in Portland, ME. During the school year I am a pediatric occupational therapist that works with children with sensory, emotional, and behavioral difficulties requiring a therapeutic school placement.

I am specially trained in the Sensory Integration Framework. I am passionate about children’s ability to access nature in our modern society, and believe it is an instrumental backdrop to help develop social, motor, and most of all play skills. I was recently privileged to be able to present at the New England American Camp Association (ACA) Conference in 2019 on how to make camp programs more accessible for children with sensory processing difficulties (How to Make Your Camp Sensory Smart for Children with Sensitive Systems) and incorporate these skills in our staff training.

Kingston’s Camp has been my home away from home for many years, and I hope you and your family will feel the same. With much love and kindness, Tara Jane